January 29, 2003

Chinese New Year celebration planned for Feb. 4

International students at Troy State University will present the second annual Chinese New Year celebration Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 6:15 p.m. in the Trojan Center ballrooms.

Among the special presentations will be the Lion Dance and the Dragon Dance. The earliest recorded instances of the Dragon dance suggest it may have initially been an effort to bring rain. However, both dances have traditionally been associated with celebrations such as the Chinese new year and are generally performed to chase away evil and bring good luck.

Following the brief program, participants will have the opportunity to sample a wide range of Chinese cuisine. Following the meal there will be music and dancing.

General admission tickets are $10, while student tickets are $7.

“This is an opportunity for the Chinese students to share a bit of their culture with their fellow students and the community,” said Debbie Davis, an international student advisor. “This will be a very enjoyable evening.”

The Chinese New Year, known in China as the Spring Festival, is the oldest and most important festival in China. The date of the new year is determined by the lunar calendar, and this year begins on Saturday, Feb. 1. The public holiday lasts for three days in China.